Fachbach and Ellis win Ironman Regensburg

Germany’s Markus Fachbach and the USA’s Mary Beth Ellis won Ironman Regensburg today.

Fachbach came out of the water in second (47:19), maintained his second place position with a 4:39:37 ride, and his top run of 2:58:11 allowed him to take over the lead to win in 8:29:16. Switzerland’s Stefan Riesen finished second (8:36:54), and Germany’s Frank Vytrisal used the top ride of 4:33:37 to get third (8:37:12).

Ellis picked up her second Ironman win (Ironman Austria on July 3) to remain undefeated at this race distance. After leading the swim (49:20), Ellis lost the lead to Germany’s Annett Kamenz during the bike (where Kamenz rode the top split of 5:09:50), but once onto the marathon, Ellis grabbed control of the race once again with the top run of 3:06:45 to cross the line relatively unchallenged in 9:18:55. Kamenz took second (9:28:23), and fellow German Nicole Leder finished third in 9:30:27. Kristin Baker of Edmonton placed ninth among all women and won the 30-34 age group.

Germany’s Andreas Raelert, who posted the fasted ever iron distance time at Challenge Roth on July 10 (7:41:33), twisted his left ankle a few days prior to the race but needed to complete an Ironman in order to validate his Kona starting slot. Instead of dropping out, he taped up his ankle and chose to race for charity (donating 20 Euros for each person that finished ahead of him). He finished 335^th with a time of 10:21:05.

Top 10 Men
1 Fachbach Markus GER  8:29:18
2 Riesen Stefan SUI  8:36:54
3 Vytrisal Frank GER  8:37:12
4 Reichel Horst GER  8:42:07
5 Diederen Bas NED  8:42:34 *M30-34
6 Leder Lothar GER  8:45:30
7 Buckingham Kyle RSA  8:56:22 *M25-29
8 Vallant Rene AUT  8:56:50
9 Beyeler Nicolas SUI  8:57:17 *M35-39
10 Kimberley James GBR  8:58:50 *M30-34

Top 10 Women
1 Ellis Mary Beth USA  9:18:55
2 Kamenz Annett GER  9:28:23
3 Leder Nicole GER  9:30:27
4 Jesberger Heidi GER  9:32:42
5 Rabe Katja GER  9:44:45
6 Esefeld Katrin GER  9:49:53 *W25-29
7 Buehlmann Umbricht Tanja SUI  9:57:54 *W40-44
8 Paige Becky USA  9:58:07 *W40-44
9 Baker Kristin CAN  9:58:55 *W30-34
10 Boschker Grada NED 10:04:05 *W35-39